Synchrotron X-ray Source
Synchrotron
A synchrotron is defined as "any circular accelerator that uses microwaves for electric fields and magnets for steering" (Candle Article). The purpose of these highly complex and extremely sensitive machines is exclusively to accelerate particles (usually electrons and positrons) to nearly the speed of light, then use magnetic fields to cause the particles to release electromagnetic radiation. The radiation fans out in a straight line from the source and in most research synchrotrons, the X-rays are isolated and precisely tuned for the specific experimental requirements.
In 1947, the first observations of synchrotrons as a source of X-rays were made. This marks an important step forward for X-ray crystallography because the X-rays from synchrotrons are far more powerful than those previously used for diffraction by scientists such as Rosalind Franklin and the Bragg family, which means that the exposure times are decreased significantly. For example, it took over 100 hours of exposure time for Franklin to complete her famous X-ray crystallography of the DNA molecule, whereas now that same experiment could be done in a few seconds. This dramatic change in time is due to a more precisely focused beam as well as increased power and improved optics.
For more basic information about synchrotrons, please click here.
A synchrotron is defined as "any circular accelerator that uses microwaves for electric fields and magnets for steering" (Candle Article). The purpose of these highly complex and extremely sensitive machines is exclusively to accelerate particles (usually electrons and positrons) to nearly the speed of light, then use magnetic fields to cause the particles to release electromagnetic radiation. The radiation fans out in a straight line from the source and in most research synchrotrons, the X-rays are isolated and precisely tuned for the specific experimental requirements.
In 1947, the first observations of synchrotrons as a source of X-rays were made. This marks an important step forward for X-ray crystallography because the X-rays from synchrotrons are far more powerful than those previously used for diffraction by scientists such as Rosalind Franklin and the Bragg family, which means that the exposure times are decreased significantly. For example, it took over 100 hours of exposure time for Franklin to complete her famous X-ray crystallography of the DNA molecule, whereas now that same experiment could be done in a few seconds. This dramatic change in time is due to a more precisely focused beam as well as increased power and improved optics.
For more basic information about synchrotrons, please click here.